Federer has 18 grand slams, Sampras has 14 .If Nadal wins this tournament he will be equal with Sampras. I think that's why Sampras has attended this year, just to see if his number will be equalled. I would love to see Stan win it too, he is such a gentleman and he tries very hard but I wouldn't bet against Nadal.
Federer even at his best had a losing record against Nadal, so maybe he has returned to his best and the old pattern has repeated. I do think it's a shame that he lost all the same -- imagine an all-Swiss final!